Despite not being able to swim PC Mohammed Nadeem dived into a river to save drowning man in freezing water
PC Mohammed Nadeem is being hailed a hero after he risked his own life by leaping into freezing water, despite not being a swimmer, to rescue a man who had fallen into a river.
Nadeem said he “just had to go in” after seeing the man drowning in the River Irwell in Bury, Greater Manchester, and that he spent about 25 minutes in the water after diving in.
Incredible video footage from Nadeem’s body camera shows the brave cop hurtling himself through the water to reach the man. At the end of the clip, you can hear the heavy gasps of the drowning man who he manages to bring to safety.
“I can’t swim. I’m not a good swimmer at all and having all the extra body gear was very hard but somehow I got to him…”
Fire crews and police officers had been negotiating in an attempt to bring a man on a bridge to safety, but once he had fallen in Nadeem said he just “had to go in”.
The student officer’s actions were commended by Greater Manchester Police.
PC Nadeem said he did not think about how cold or deep the water was nor about taking his heavy body armour off when he saw the man in distress.
“I can’t swim. I’m not a good swimmer at all and having all the extra body gear was very hard but somehow I got to him… and we got to the side and waited for help.
“It was very dangerous but I just had to go in… seeing this man drowning I just couldn’t wait.”
The fire service then aided the pair up a ladder to safety and they were taken to hospital for treatment.
PC Nadeem said: “I was really cold, my legs were shaking. I couldn’t really talk much because we were in the water for about 25 minutes.
“It was absolutely freezing.”
Supt Rick Jackson, of Greater Manchester Police said: “Without hesitation, PC Nadeem dived off an eight foot drop into freezing, deep and fast moving water.”
He said this was “a prime example of why people join the force – to protect people and make sure they are away from harm”.
He added that PC Nadeem has now been nicknamed “The Hoff” by his colleagues.
